Nadine Dolby, professor of curriculum and instruction, on
Tuesday (Oct. 9) received the 2012 Community Spirit Award for her volunteer
work at Almost Home Humane Society in Lafayette.

Dolby received the award during a joint meeting of the Administrative
and Professional Staff Advisory Committee and the Clerical and Service Staff
Advisory Committee. Created by both committees, the award is given to those who
set a high standard for service, who encourage a sustained commitment to civic
participation and who inspire others to make service a central part of their
lives. This is the second year the award has been given.

For the past five years, Dolby has volunteered at the humane
society. She has done done considerable work there with the shelter's adoptable
cats, according to her award nomination forms. She has helped socialize cats,
conducted educational and outreach programs, volunteered at fundraising and
outreach events, and has been involved in a community service partnership
between the humane society and Oakland High School in Lafayette.

In addition to her regular volunteering duties, Dolby recently
began an initiative to write about individual cats, producing detailed descriptions
-- which include their personality traits and social habits -- to ensure that adopters
find the cat that best meets their family's needs.

Stacy Rogers, the humane society's outreach manager, says
these efforts have been particularly valuable to the organization.

"We currently have more than 200 adoptable cats,"
Rogers wrote in a letter submitted with Dolby's nomination.

"Giving potential adopters the opportunity to learn
something more in depth about each cat's personality is a wonderful way to
improve the adoption experience and to increase the chance of finding placement
for an adult cat."

In 2011, Dolby and a fellow humane society volunteer received
the Marcile Eddy Shining Light Award from United Way of Greater Lafayette. The
annual award recognizes local residents' outstanding volunteer efforts.

Dolby says a concern about homeless pets and a desire to help
the community motivate her volunteer work.

"This reward reminds us that the most important things in
our lives are not the things we can buy, but things we can share with and do
for others -- for other humans, for animals and for the planet," Dolby
says.

"In musician Pat Humphries' words, we should cherish the
beings that we live beside. That truly is the spirit of community, and it is what
I think this award celebrates. I am honored to receive it."